Vise



Sept. 28, 1943. C, E, m'cHARDs 2,330,382 1 VISE Filed May 27, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR CLEMENT E. RICHARDS ATTORNEY Sept. 2%, 1943. c. E. RICHARDS VISE Filed May 27, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet, 2

Fm. H

FIG. 4

FIG. 8

CLEMENT E. RzcuARns Patented Sept. 28, 1943 UNITED PATENT OFFICE 2,330,382 1 visa l ClementE.Richards,"Muncie,Ind,1 I Application May 27, 194.2, Serial No. 444,621

i (ora 25) 4 Claims.

7 This invention relates to improvements in Vises. The object of the invention, broadly stated, is to provide an apparatus of the above description operable by a foot vpedalfto permit the Visa to be quickly opened, and which is capable of' being expeditiously moved to and tightened in closed position by hand. This said generalobject, as well as other and more specificaimshaving to do with improvements in constructibn'e'ffecting economy of manufacture, are accomplished by, and my invention is embodied in, the new construction; combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification.

The invention is defined in the claims, and in the drawings the diiferent partsjof the invention are identified 'in the several views, by suitable reference characters applied 'to them. In the drawings-- Figure 1 is a side view of my improved vise as' it appears when the jaws and tightened position.'

Figure 2 is a front View taken in the direction of arrow 2 in Figure 1." 3 g y Figure 3 is a horizontal cross section top plan view taken on the broken 1ine3-3 in Figure 1 in the direction of arrow 3. 7 I

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross section top plan view taken on the broken line 4-4, in the'dir'ection of arrow 4 in Figure 1. w I V Figure 5 is a broken awayfupper portion of the fixed jaw member, this view'showing in detail the back plate of said jaw and in 'which are embodied the guideway slots for the yoke structure and link bars. j V

Figure 6 is a vertical cross section view taken on the broken line 6-5inthe direction of arrow B in Figure 3, in this view there being shown a broken away portionof the link bar. V

Figure 7 is a vertical cross section view taken on the broken line 7-? in Figure 3, in this View there being shown a broken away portion'of the yokebar. V Figure 8 is a broken away upper-portion of the movable jaw member, thisfview; showing in detail the face plate of said jaw and in which are embodied openings for'the forward ends of the link bars, and for'the forward en'dsof the bars of the yoke structure.

Figure 9 is a vertical cross section viewtaken on the broken line 9-4], and the direction of arrow 9 in Figure 3. I

Figure 10 is a; vertical cross section view taken on the broken line- Iii-40, and in the direction of arrow 9 in Figure 3'.

are in the closed 5 The'jaw's; whichim'ay be made of'wood, or of metal, may be of the' general conformation and proportions'as shown in the typical embodiment illustrated in the drawings. I

The rear jaw l2 embodies a base'of formation in'cross' section asshown in Figure 4, providing the "sidewalls I4, interior transverse abutment faces I 5, and channel I6 which will .presently be 're'ferred to; A foot'flange I8, and suitably locatedbody lugs ISJ on the rear side of jaw l2 enable'the said jaw to beffixedly secured to the floor and to a convenient portion of the bench (not shown) respectively. Ina suitablecavity zflf'in said b'ase, a foot lever 22 is fulcrumed on a cross 11111.23. Itis urged by a protractile' spring Zlv'vhichis retained in a suitable recess25there for in saidbase-to position with its weight arm 21 lowered, as indicated in Figure 1. 28designates a'hole extending through the median portion': of said jaw 12 and to which' further reference will be made'.

plate 3! (see Figure- 5) having oppositely positioned'pairs of vertical guideway slots whose upper ends are in a common horizontal plane. The

bottom of the inner slots'34'is lower than the bottom of outer slots" 36 of each pair. The bot 'tomof each of said inner slots is of formation to'constitute a detent 35 (see Figure '7) and the bottom of each of the said'outer slots is of formation toconstitute a 'detent 31.

The frontal jaw 4| has its lower end journalecl between the side walls I of the base of said fixed jaw, on cross pin 42, the rear surfaces of its bottom portion having hearing, when in the upright position, against the said abutment faces 15 thereforyas indicated in Figure 4.

Integrated with the frontal side of the upper portion of the said :forward'jaw 4| is a transverse plate 44 provided with oppositely positioned pairs'of aligned openings, the inner opening and A yoke structure consists of similar bars 5| toothed at their lower edges, retained in opposed spaced relation by a medial cross member 52, and

by a rearcross member 53, the latter embodying axial extensions 55. These yoke bars rest, upon the detents 35 of the slots 34" of the said back plate El. Their frontal ends are loose in the inner openings d of the face plate 44 of the said forward or movable jaw 4 l A cylindrical cam 57 has its axle 58 journaled in suitable bores therefor provided in the front ends of the said yoke bars 5|, and it is provided with a handle 59. The free end of a leaf spring 43 thatis secured, as by cap screws, to the inner side of the said movable jaw M, bears rearwardly against the cross *member 52 of the said yoke structure, the cam 51 thereby being held firmly against the said face plate 44.

A segment 6| whose ends are pivotally'retained by brackets 62 provided therefor on the front face of jaw 4!, is provided with a succession of studs 63 adapted to be engaged by the cam handle and to hold the latter against dislodgment from the position to which it is moved when the vise is operated to the closed position. When not in use, this segment is in the folded aside position indicated by :the broken lines in Figure 3.

On a rod 65 which is pivotally retained at its forward end on a cross pin =66 provided in the forward jaw Al, and which said rod is received in the hole 28 of the said fixed .jawlZ, is a protractile spring 61 which urges the jaw 41 away from jaw l2.

Power transmitting rod 68 pivotally interconnects the weight arm 2! of the foot lever 22, with the rear cross member 53=of the 'said yoke struc ture.

Similar link bars 71 toothed on their lower edges, the teeth being more closely spaced than are the teeth of the yoke bars, rest upon the 'detents 3-1 of the back plate 31 of the said fixed jaw. These link bars are of length so that their rearward ends are in closexproximity with the rearward ends of the *said :yo'k'e bars. The detents 3'! being :at a plane higher 'than'the plane of the detents 35 whereby the rearward ends of the link 'bars are in raised position with relation to the yokestructure, and the said link bars being provided with offsets 72, there is provided suitable clearance of the extensionsfifi of the rear cross member of the yoke structure. The frori tal ends of these link :bars are retained loosely in .the-outer openings 46 of the face plate H of the frontal jaw member '(see Figure :9 as by cotterpins 41, the heads 13 of 'said bars 'being suitably rounded on their inner surfaces to afford .proper bearing agains'ts'aid face plate.

The relative positions of the several parts of my improved vise, when the jaws are in completely opened status, (the movement of the jaw M forwardly, or in the direction-of the "arrow F in Figure 1 being limited by the rear-cross member 53 of the yoke structure having come into engagement with the back plate 31) are as indicated in Figure 11.

Yoke bars El and link bars H are resting on 'the detents 35 and 3-1 respectively, the rearward'portions of the link bars being'clear of itheraxial extensions of the rear cross member of the yoke structure. Upon pushing the vjaw 4 1 toward fixed jaw l2 the said yoke bars and link bars are carried rearwardly and'as the jaw 4| comes to engagement with the jaw 12 (or to the work that is to be held therein, not shown) it is anchored against reverse movement by the teeth of the said yoke bars (by the downward pull of connecting rod 68) which will have become en'- gaged with the detents 35.

Operator now swings the segmentB-I from the broken line position -(see Figure 3) to position against the cam handle '69 '(se'e Figure 1). New

'detents.

upon lifting the cam handle, the cam 51, fulcrumed as it is, on the forward ends of the said yoke bars, and acting as a lever, moves the jaw il further toward jaw I2. The teeth of the link bars now having become engaged with the detents 31 of said back plate 3|, the said link bars are anchored against reverse movement, and the jaws accordingly, are held in tightened closed position. The yoke bars, link bars, and cam are now in the positions as indicated in Figure 1. The handle of the cam will have been brought to engagement with a lug stud 63 of the sector, and

by which the said handle is held against reverse movement. In this status of the jaws, the abuttal jaw '41 thereby preventing over-strain against the pivot pin '42. The channel 6 provides for escapement of any small object which might fall between the jaws.

To release the grip of the jaws, the sector is moved aside and the cam handle thus released, is moved by the operator to lowered position, thereb the tension of the link bars being relaxed. Now, pressure is applied to the foot lever 22, the upward movement of its weight arm and of the connecting rod-EB-causing the rear portion of the yoke structure and the rear portions of the link bars to be lifted. The extent of this lifting movement (and which is limited by the slots 34 and 35) is such, that the'said yoke structure and link bars will have been elevated to and supported at position disengaged from the aforesaid detents 35 and 8 respectively (see broken lines in Fig ure 1).; whereupon, by the action of protractile spring 61,, the jaw isautomatically urged away from the fixed jaw, same being permitted to move to such degree -of opening as the operator may desire. The said jaw M at its completely open position appears as in Figure 11 and wherein the cross member 53 of the yoke structure will have come to engagement at rest against the said back plate 31.

Until the pressure is removed from the foot lever, the yoke bars and link bars continue to be supported at positions raised in the guideway slots 34 and 36, and clear of the detents 35 and 31 respectively. Now upon removing the pressure from the foot lever the yoke bars and link 'bar again become lowered and are at rest on said The apparatus is returned to closed position, simply by the operator applying hand pressureagainst the face of the movable jaw, the yoke bars and the link bars riding the detents 35 and 31 respectively, and the teeth of the yoke bars becoming engaged with the detents 35 at the moment the hand pressure at the jaw is removed.

By my invention, the several parts of the apparatus are of construction and design that expensive processing operations involved in manufacture, are avoided. Any and or all of the parts may be provided with ordinary manufacturing :equipment, and the apparatus may be supplied to the user, either in the set up form as shown, or in knocked down status. By reason of the operator being enabled to quickly operate the jaws -to'closed position, and to as quickly open them, considerable time is saved, and at the same time the worker is enabled to handle his work more conveniently, more speedily, and more effectively.

It will be understood that modifications may 'be made in the details of construction of the several parts, and of their arrangement, provided they come within the scopeof' the'claims, without departing from-- the spirit and-prin'ciples'of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages;

What I claim as my invention, is:

1. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a fixed jaw, a movable jaw pivotally joined thereto at the lower portions of said jaws, said fixed jaw being provided at its upper portion with oppositely positioned pairs of guideway slots whose upper ends are in the same horizontal plane, one slot of each pair being longer than the other slot of that pair and its bottom being lower than the bottom of the other slot of that pair, a detent at the bottom of each of said guideway slots, oppositely positioned pairs of openings in the upper portion of the movable jaw, a yoke structure consisting of toothed bars retained in opposed spaced relation by a medial cross member and by a rear cross member, the said bars being loose in the longer guideway slots of said fixed jaw, and which rest on the detents therefor, and their forward ends being loose in opposite openings of the movable jaw, toothed link bars loose in the shorter guideway slots of the said fixed jaw and which rest on the detents therefor, and

in the path of and above the rear cross member of said yoke structure, their forward ends being loosely connected to the upper portion of the movable jaw, a manually operable cam having its axles journaled in the forward ends of said yoke bars, means to retain the cam in coengaged relation with the frontal face ofsaid movable jaw, and whereby when the jaws are brought together, the yoke bars become anchored, thereby constituting a fulcrum for said cam, means to urge the movable jaw awa from the fixed jaw, a foot lever, means to urge the foot lever to position with its weight arm lowered, and a power transmitting member pivotally connecting the weight arm of the foot lever with the rearward portion of the said yoke structure, whereby the said yoke bars and link bars may be raised and lowered.

2. A vise consisting of a pair of jaws pivotally joined at their lower portions, one being adapted to be fixed in position and having at its upper portion oppositely positioned pairs of guideway slots whose upper ends are in the same horizontal plane, the bottom of the inner slot of each pair being lower than the bottom of the outer slot of said pair, a detent at the bottom of each of said slots, the other jaw being movable about the pivot, oppositely positioned pairs of openings in the upper portion of the movable jaw, a yoke structure consisting of toothed bars retained in opposed spaced relation by a medial cross member and by a rear crossmember, the latter having axial pintles, the frontal ends of said yoke bars being loose in the inner openings of said movable jaw and the said bars resting in engagement with the detents of the inner guideway slots of the said fixed jaw, a cam having its axle journaled in the forward ends of the said yoke bars, a handle for said cam, toothed link bars loose in the outer guideway slots of the said fixed jaw, their rearward ends being poised above said pintles. their forward ends being loosely conneoted in the outer openings of said movable jaw, means interacting between said yoke structure and said movable jaw, to hold the cam in mengaged relation with the latter, means to urge the movable jaw away from the fixed jaw, a foot lever, means to urge the foot lever to position with its weight arm lowered, and a connecting rod pivotally interconnecting the rearward cross member of the'yoke structure and the weight armofsaid lever. I

r 3. A viseconsist'ing of a pair of jaws pivotally joined at their lower portions, one being fixed in position and provided with a transverse back plate at the rear side of its upper portion, said back i-plate having oppositely'positioned pairs of guideway openings'whose upper ends are in a common plane, the bottom of the inner slot 'of each pair being lower than the bottom of the outer slot of that pair, a detent at the bottom of each of said slots, the other jaw being movable about the pivot, a transverse face plate integrated with the upper portion of the frontal face of the movable jaw and which is provided with oppositely positioned pairs of openings, a yoke structure consisting of toothed bars retained in opposed spaced relation by a medial cross member and by a rear cross member the latter having axial extensions, the frontal ends of said toothed yoke bars being loose in the inner openings of said face plate, and which said yoke bars by gravity rest upon the detents of the guideway slots of the said back plate, a cam havingits axle journaled in the forward ends of the said yoke bars, a handle for said'cam, means interacting between the movable'jaw and said yoke structure to hold the cam against the face plate of the movable jaw, a segment carried by said jaw and swingable to position in alignment with said cam handle and having prongs thereon to hold the cam handle against dislodgment from the position to which it is moved, toothed link bars loose in the outer guideway slots of said back plate, their forward ends being loose, but which are held attached in the outer openings of said face plate of the movable jaw, their rearward able jaw pivotally joined thereto, the meeting faces of the joined portions being in abutting relation, elongated toothed yoke bars retained loosely in the upper portion of the fixed jaw, their forward ends being loose in the upper portion of the movable jaw, and projected beyond the face thereof, detents on the fixed jaw and which are engageable by said yoke bars, an arcuate manually operable cam having its axle journaled in the forward ends of said yoke bars, means interacting between the yoke bars and the said cam to hold the latter in coengaged relation with the face of the said movable jaw, means thrusting the movable jaw away from the fixed jaw, elongated toothed link bars retained loosely in the upper portion of the fixed jaw, their forward ends bemg connected to the upper portion of the movable jaw, detents on the fixed jaw engageable by said link bars, urger means to urge the yoke bars and link bars to engagement with their respective detents, a device manually operable to lock said cam after the operating thereof, and a lever device manually operable to resist said urger means, and to move said yoke bars and link bars to, and to hold them in I position disengaged from, said detents, whereby when the movable jaw is swung to engagement with the fixed jaw, the yoke bags and the link bars become engaged with the said detents, the movable jaw thereby being said yoke bars and link bars are moved to and anehelcl in position disengaged from said detents, and the movable jaw, being thereby released, swings automatically to open position, away from the fixed jaw.

CLEMENT E. RICHARDS. 

